The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 03, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 30, 1999
Richard D. Swanson, Niles, MI (US);
Hubbell Incorporated, Orange, CT (US);
Abstract
An improved mounting bracket is closed which can be used to selectively support both 4 inch square electric boxes and 4{fraction (11/16)} inch square electrical boxes such that vertical movement of either type of electrical box is limited. The mounting bracket is preferably a one-piece, unitary member stamped from sheet metal. The mounting bracket has a top support rail, a bottom support rail and a pair of mounting ends coupling the support rails together to define a large, elongated central cut-out portion. An electrical box and its associated cover may be mounted between two wall studs by first attaching the mounting bracket of the present invention to the wall studs. The open front end of the box is then placed flush against the rear surface of the bracket such that a top portion of the box contacts the bottom rail of the bracket. Next, the associated cover is placed on the front surface of the bracket opposite and aligned with the box such that a top portion of the cover contacts the top support rail and a bottom portion of the cover contacts the bottom support rail. Finally, the electrical box and the cover are fastened together to complete installation of the electrical box to the bracket. The inner edges of the rails are spaced to engage the mounting screws of a 4 inch square electrical box such that the electrical box cannot significantly move up or down relative to the mounting bracket. The top and bottom support rails are each provided with an abutment for engaging either the outer surface of a 4{fraction (11/16)} inch square electrical box or the faceplate of the 4{fraction (11/16)} inch square electrical box such that the electrical box will not significantly move up or down relative to the mounting bracket when coupled thereto.